2LoveToTravel

2 hours ago, Nearpost345 said:

 

we were in ste 629, one of the new suites on the breeze last December. There were twins pushed together.

Maybe I didn't explain this correctly. My understanding is that the beds are all "twins" put together as queens. When I called Windstar to see if the queen size beds in the "new" rooms could be separated so that my daughter and I could have our own beds, they said that only the queen size beds in the "old" configuration could be separated....but not the queen size beds in the new rooms. So we chose the "old" configuration. 

Just off the Pride. Ship was full for the first time. Crew working hard. We felt they were a little short staffed, but it all worked well. Love the space since the stretch.

Just disembarked Pride as well. Stayed in “old” style cabin and prefer the layout with bed near the bath, and sofa near the window. By the way, if you want or need twin beds the bed in the “new” rooms do not convert from queen to twins. This was my first trip on the Pride since the stretch. They did a beautiful job. 

We have been on the WindSurf several times over the years for Super Bowl Sunday. One time our Captain was able to get a local connection in the caribbean and actually hosted a Super Bowl party for us as well. The other years it was suggested we go ashore to a bar where it was being broadcast. Believe it was Jost Van Dyke most recently. Agree with Strenz, I would check with Windstar, and depending on the port you may be able to go ashore which would be a lot of fun.

I remember some years ago, we flew to St Maarten from NYC changing planes in SJU. When we looked recently, there were no connections. However that was pre Covid. Those connections may return as we, hopefully return to normal.

15 minutes ago, susiesan said:

I understand why Windstar did this, but the difference in air fare would be a deal killer for me. RT MCI-SJU is $352, RT MCI-SXM is $630. 

 

I sailed Star Pride out of San Juan in Dec. 2018 and it was an easy journey to get there. Much harder to get to Saint Martin or Barbados.

Susiesan....I understand. And the agent at Delta asked if the cruise line was paying the increase in fare. Ha Ha!  At this time Delta is not charging a change fee. But the cost is another $300. each added to our San Juan fare. We are fortunate to be in an area served by JFK and EWR. So, we can usually get non stop flights. 

We are just hoping that the virus abates, and we can all travel again on our favorite....Windstar.

We are booked on the Star Pride on the December 28 to Jan 8 New Years Cruise.We received an Email yesterday afternoon from Windstar changing San Juan port of embarkation and debarkation to St Maarten. The itinerary is the same with the exception of the first stop at St Thomas being changed to Little Bay, Montserrat. So I guess we will be in St Maarten with our old favorite....Windsurf. We decided to try the newly transformed and stretched Star Pride....hoping she is finished in time. Windstar did give us an additional ship board credit....very nice.  And I just changed our Delta reservation....at an increased fare to St Maarten.  Thank you Windstar for all of your hard work during these trying times. We can't wait to return!

Thank you Windstar for making the decision to require vaccinations to travel on their ships. Knowing that the crew and all passengers will be protected form Covid will go a long way to making passengers more comfortable. The logistics in testing prior to boarding are difficult at best, and I am hopeful that as time goes on, it will be clearer to all. We are boarding the Pride on December 28, and decided to fly to San Juan the same day, because of multiple testing....if we arrived a few days ahead. However, getting tested the day after Christmas has me concerned. Oh well....hopefully as time passes, we will be enjoying the best sailaways again....and again....and again! 

Thank you Barrycat for that information. Do you think any work has been done on the Legend or the Pride? It seems kind of strange that Windstar has not shown any updates on their progress at Fincantieri in Palermo. They were very visible with the stretching of the Breeze...and she looks lovely. As you mentioned, both ships are docked there, and have been for months. They may be doing the work on the Pride in September and October. Hope all is proceeding as planned. We look forward to resuming our trips with Windstar....booked on the Pride in December!

4 hours ago, minidonuts85 said:

To the question above about the Caribbean vaccines...I can only speak for the BVI, but the BVI have received large quantities of the vaccines and are offering the vaccines for anyone who wants them. There has been a pretty steady turnout. 

 

We are heading down there this Wednesday for 10-days on Jost Van Dyke and have been following the latest news closely. They've also had zero active cases for about a month or two now with entry protocols, which we are following.

So jealous minidonuts85....Have a wonderful trip, and do let us know how Jost is doing!

We have been on the Surf many times over the years....on all decks, rooms, suites and even Rm 501 (now called Officers Suite)  several times. They are all wonderful....no noise, comfortable and spacious. Frankly, if we were able to be on that ship for 56 days....they could put us anywhere they want!!! 

Have a wonderful trip!!!

I agree with Strenz and others  that we will not get on any ship unless they require vaccination....not just for passengers, but crew as well.  I am sure by the time we are able to cruise, they will have ironed out the method of proof for vaccination.  We have had 2 shots of Moderna, and it looks like he J&J vaccine may be more widely available very soon. Anyone who doesn’t get vaccinated is stupid as stated....and they should stay home. Really don't want them on my ship!  My concern is the ability to get off the ship and visit the proposed destinations. We are scheduled for the Caribbean on Star Pride for New Years. Do they even have the vaccine in the Caribbean islands??? I cant imagine having to pay to  join an organized tour to go to Foxys or Gertrudes on Jost Van Dyke to have a Painkiller!!!  or go shopping  in St Barths.  We are all so anxious to return to our favorite cruise line.....for us it has been 20 years with Windstar! 

Just surprised we have not seen any pictures of the Legend progress in Palermo. The Pride is there as well.

Congratulations Windstar on following through with this program. We too are in the top tier, and even with the uncertainty about the resumption of cruising....it gives us hope. We appreciate their effort, even though like all cruise lines, they are financially challenged. Can't wait to be aboard again!  Looking for the rainbow!

Hi Dale,  We have been on many cruise lines over the last 20 years....Crystal, Azamara, Holland, Disney, Oceania and Celebrity (most recently Celebrity Summit and Infinity) So we know the M class ships on Celebrity. Having said that, we have been on Windstar 24 times. So you can see that it is our favorite line. We have been mainly on the sailing yachts, but since they acquired the motor yachts from Seabourn, we have been on Star Pride twice and Star Legend once. As you probably know, all of the motor yachts are in the process of being elongated and totally transformed. The result of this stretch and refit will be essentially new ships with all of the benefits that that brings . We are looking forward to our trip on Star Pride, post refit, just booked for December 2021....a long way off, but we  just need to have something to look forward to in these uncertain times. 

To compare Celebrity to Windstar is difficult, but I will try. The Celebrity M class boats are about 2000 people compared to 300+ on the motor yachts. The atmosphere on Windstar is very personalized with probably the best ships crew in the business. They are are attentive, caring and will frequently address you by name after the first day. We have enjoyed the food on Celebrity and found the quality to be excellent. Windstar is a step above in quality,  with food choices more creative and beautifully prepared and served. Incidentally, all speciality restaurants are available without a surcharge. Additionally you can bring 2 bottles of wine on board! There is a wonderful ship board barbecue on all voyages. The itineraries are designed to take advantage of unique areas unavailable to larger ships. A holiday on Windstar is like cruising on your own private yacht with a watersports platform and marina for use of many watersports toys. There is an Open Bridge policy,  unique in the industry and highly valued by many guests. We enjoy going there at all hours, especially in the evening and observing the dynamics of navigation; with the captain and officers always available to answer questions. As far as entertainment....no big shows or casinos. There is music in the evening, a small combo and the crew performs one night as well....a real treat!  

Overall....Windstar gets a 5 Martini rating compared to a 3 Martini rating for Celebrity!

Bon voyage!  Donna

Hmmmm. That is an interesting question. I would doubt that they know the answer at this point. Having such a small capacity to begin with, they will probably sell as many rooms as feasible. Zodiacs could be an issue. They are not used in all places, but are a fun way to  travel ashore. One thing is for sure. They have plenty of time to figure it all out. We just have to be patient and flexible. Lets get back together at sea Windstar!!!

On 7/14/2020 at 3:54 PM, Host Jazzbeau said:

This all sounds quite acceptable to me – and very reassuring healthwise.  Not only should it protect against coronavirus, but should help prevent outbreaks of Noro and other ship outbreaks.

 

Here is an article on Cruise Critic about what sailing under this type of restriction is like.  It's about Ponant, but many parts of their protocol are similar:

Live From Ponant: Sailing on An Expedition Ship In France -- Masks And All

Thank you Jazz....a very interesting article!

Congratulations Windstar on moving forward with a decisive plan to make cruising safer for all aboard their ships! Yes, there will be a new normal in travel as well as our everyday life. But these smaller ships that we know and love are the place to be. Looking forward to Windstar cruise # 25, and praying that it will be soon!

38 minutes ago, ridethetide said:

I doubt there will be a European season this year. Let's hope that cruises will resume by November...

That would be most unfortunate . I guess we will have to wait for more information. Everyone is so anxious for this to be over....no one more than the cruise lines. But health and wellness has to come first. 

You would think that they would all cross to Europe. The Pride may go into dry dock sooner?? once that resumes....but the Surf and Star don't come back to the caribbean until November. Thats a long time  to be sitting in Panama....and totally missing Europe when it opens?

Such a pretty picture!

So nice to see them  again! Wonder if they are going to do the crossing together? Wish you fair winds and following seas!

We are with you Sb44!

 Just checked into the St Maarten webcam and our favorite ship....the Windsurf. She looks as pretty as ever. Looking forward to being aboard sometime in the future. Stay well all!

Nice to see Windsurf lighted at night....Facebook says the crew are having a barbecue. Nice to see even though away from home they are having some fun aboard.